Dispensing unit



s. LESCHIN DISPENSING UNIT Sept. 30, 1947.

Filed Jan. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 30, 1947.

S. LESCHIN DISPENSING UNIT Filed Jan. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 30, 1947 UNITED STATES OFFICE DISPENSING UNI'JI.

Application January 25, 1946, Serial No. 643,386

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dispensing devices for use in vending machines or the like, and relates more particularly to an improved unit for delivering a fiat article, such as a newspaper or a packaged handkerchief, from the top of a stack of such articles. The present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 575,746, filed February 2, 1945.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for dispensing flat articles, one at a time, in such a manner as to avoid injury to the article and to make the operation positive and foolproof.

In general, the device may be said to consist of an arm and a support for the arm, and a post upon which the support is carried, novel means being provided to afford a full floating mounting of the arm relative to the post. As the flat articles are dispensed, one by one, the arm descends by gravity on the post, and during such descent the floating relationship between the arm and the post is preserved. The arm is thus mounted, adjacent one end thereof, on the post, and at its opposite end it is provided with novel means which pick up the paper or other flat article and deliver the same to the customer as such pick-up end of the arm moves forwardly. The pick-up end has a rolling or wiping action over the next article when the arm moves rearwardly to a position where it can deliver the next such article.

The coin-controlled vending unit, per se, forms no part of the present invention. In all devices of this character, there is a reciprocating or rotating manually-operated element which furnishes the power to operate the dispensing unit of the present invention. In one form of the invention the arm is caused to rotate, and in another form the arm reciprocates in a direction generally at right angles to the arm. In either case, the pick-up end of the arm functions in the same fashion. That is to say, in one case the post supporting the arm is caused to rotate, the arm rotating similarly,,and the pick-up end of the arm describes an arc. In the other case, the post moves longitudinally and the pick-up end moves in the same fashion.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a broken top plan view of the dispensing unit of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view, partially in section, of the means for mounting the arm relative to the support.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 5, showing a modified form of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view which illustrates the operation of the article pick-up means.

The dispensing unit of the present invention comprises an arm 9 having a portion In at its inner end which is normally substantially horizontal, a downwardly-inclined portion II, and an outer terminal portion l2 which also is normally substantially horizontal, although it may be slightly inclined, as shown in Fig. 2. A post is which may be rectangular in transverse section is rounded at its upper end and is journalled in bearing l4 mounted on a frame element l5. At its lower end, post i3 may be rounded, as shown at 16, and be j ournalled in bearing l1 mounted on frame member 20. The post is provided with a lever 2| which is secured thereto, such lever having a downwardly-extending portion 22 at its outer end.

The means for actuating this lever by rotating the same through an arc of suitable length to eifect delivery of the article forms no part of the present invention. There is, however, a fragmentary showing of such means which is the subject of a separate application. It may comprise a reciprocating slide 23 which is mounted for such reciprocating movement in rollers 24 mounted on frame 25 secured on a frame element 26. Rearward movement of slide 23-is limited by a stop 30, and forward movement of lever 2| is limited by a stop M. A roller 32 carried on slide 23 contacts lever 2| during rearward movement of such slide, and thus rotates lever El and post l3 through a suitable arc. Movement of the slide. rearwardly is done manually, and a spring 21 efiects forward or return movement. A ratchet portion 28 on the side of slide 23 is engaged by a pawl 29 which prevents return movement before the slide has had full rearward travel.

Full floating movement of arm 9 as it gravitates downwardly on post id is effected by the novel structure forming a support for the arm, and which comprises spaced frame members 33 and 34. Adjacent the upper left-hand corner of such frame members, when, viewed as in Fig. 2, a shaft 35 provides a journal for a. ball-bearing roller 36, and adjacent the lower right-hand corner of such frame members a second shaft 40 provides a journal for a second roller 41. These shafts also serve to maintain the frame members in spaced relation. Plates 3'! support move through an arc.

ball bearings 38 which contribute to the free movement of the support.

The upper portion ID of the main arm is mounted in a stud 43, shown in detail in Fig. 3. The stud is provided with a transverse aperture 44 which receives portion H] of the arm, the arm being secured therein by means of a set screw 45. At its opposite end, stud 43 isof a reduced diameter, as shown at 4B, and is threaded. This reduced, threaded portion passes through aligned openings in the spaced frame members and is secured therein by means of nuts 41. A spacer bushing 50 retains frame members 33 and 34 in such spaced relation.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that arm I is freely mounted with reference to spaced frame members 33 and 34, although, if desired, stud 43 may be rigidly mounted with respect to frame members 33 and .34. Frame member '33 is provided with an extension at its upper end, and a spring 52 connects the outer terminal of such extension with the outer terminal of :arm .l'fl. If desired, extension 5| may be slightly :o'fiset with reference to frame member 33, all-as shown in Fig. 1.

The novel pick-up device for .moving :the :newspapers or other articles forwardly for delivery to the customer is mounted .at the .outer (end 1.2 of .arm .9. This device comprises a generally cylindricalrcller 55 :having a "reduced portion :56 and an arcuate extension 51. A pin 60 may extend through portion i2 of the arm, and arcuate extension 51 is so proportioned as to permit cylindrical roller 55 to oscillate approximately 45 on the arm. In order to permit relatively free rotation of roller 55 relative to the am, there are desirably provided ball bearings 51.. A pointed pin or needle 62 is mounted in a -.transverse aperture 63 in .roller 55, the .pin being se cured therein by means of a .set :screw 2.64. In the case of newspapers or magazineasuch newspapers 65 are mounted in superimposed relationship on a platform 66. In this connection, :it is preferable that the platform slope downwardly and rearwardly, the lower rear edge being designated at 6 7.

As thepick-up end of the arm moves forwardly, the pin 52 picks up the paper and delivers the same forwardly into a suitable .trough (not shown) where it is picked up by the customer. As the arm then moves rearwardly, the wiping action between the cylindrical roller and the next paper causes the roller to rotate sufficiently so that the pin rides clear of the paper. This relationship is particularly shown in Fig. '6. The

positi'on'of roller 55 and of pinfi? when'th'epap'er is being delivered forwardly is's'hown in full lines, and the position thereof during rearward move- -ment is shown in dotted lines. It was earlier pointedout that pin lilland arcuate extension 5? 0 are so proportioned as to permit oscillation 'of the roller through an arc of substantially ;and this is substantially the relationship shown between the two portions of Fig. 6.

The modified arrangement of Figs. 4 and 5 is substantially similar to that shown in the first embodiment of the invention, except that 'means are arranged to cause the arm to reciprocate rather than to have the pick-up end thereof mounted in rollers H on frame element 12,:and :onthis slide two'pcsts fliiand TA maybemounted.

.In this case, the arm 25 may be identical with arm llil shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and beaprovided with .the same cylindrical .roller 1:6 which sub- In this case, slide it is ports the pick-up pin (not shown) by means of set screw 11. The slide 10 in this instance is adapted to be moved forwardly and then rearwardly, which is the reverse of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1. Posts 73 and 14 may have some suitable sliding support, such as a trackway (not shown), at their upper ends.

The support for the arm comprises frame members B8 and 69 with ball-bearing rollers 18 and 79 which engage post 73 during downward gravitational movement. The arm is likewise mounted @ina bushing 8| which projects between the frame members, a nut 82 being carried on the reduced end portion 83 thereof. Frame members 68 and '89 are slightly wider than are the frame members of Fig. 1. Arm T5 is'caused to maintain the right angular relationship with slide l0 by means of ball bearings 8'! which are held by plates 88, and similar members are provided with respect to post 13. Frame member 58 is provided with a rearward offset portion 94, anda spring 92 connect'sxthesend of this extension with the outer end of :arm 55.

While :two forms .or embodiments :of the :in-- vention have been shown and described herein for illustrative purposes, and the construction and .arrangement incidental to two specific ap plications thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is limitedneither to the mere details or relative .arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodiments shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated forms or embodi' ments of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof.

What Iclaim is:

:1. .-A dispensing unit for delivering flat articles one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said .unit comprising .an arm provided .at one end'thereof with a generally cylindrical :roller which is journalled .for'irotative movement on the arm and which is arranged for limited oscillatory movement from one sextreme position to-another assuch roller contacts said surface during forwardand rearward-movement as a result of wiping action between the roller :and the surface, pick-up means carried by .the 'roller adapted to engage and pick up the uppermostarticle during forward travel thereof and :to ride clear of the nextarticleduring rearward travel thereof ,means for moving thelpick-up end of the arm forwardly and rearwardly, :and means adjacent the opposite end of the armsup- ,porting'the same and permitting free gravitationabdownward travel thereof.

v-2. A dispensing unit for'delivering fiatarticles one-ate. time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said unit comprising an arm provided .at one end thereof with a portion which is generally parallel with the surface of the .articles,'a generally cylindrical roller ,journalled post, a support for the arm carried by the post and provided with means which permit free movement relative thereto.

3. A dispensing unit for delivering flat articles one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said unit comprising an arm provided at one end thereof with a portion which is generally parallel with the surface of the articles, a generally cylindrical roller journalled thereon and arranged for limited oscillatory movement from one extreme position to another as such roller contacts said surface during forward and rearward movement as a result of wiping action between the roller and the surface, a needle carried by the roller adapted to engage and pick up the uppermost article during forward travel thereof and to ride clear of the next article during rearward travel thereof, means for moving the pick-up end of the arm forwardly and rearwardly, and means adjacent the opposite end of the arm supporting the same and permitting free gravitational downward travel thereof, said means comprising a substantially vertical post, a support for the arm carried by the post and provided with rollers which engage the post and permit free movement relative thereto, and means urging the pick-up end of the arm downwardly.

4. A dispensing unit for delivering flat articles, one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said unit comprising an arm provided at one end thereof with a roller journalled thereon and arranged for limited oscillatory movement from one extreme position to another as such roller contacts said surface during forward and rearward movement as a result of wiping action between the roller and the surface, a needle carried by the roller adapted to engage and pick up the uppermost article during forward travel thereof and to ride clear of the next article during rearward travel thereof, means for mounting the arm adjacent its opposite end comprising a vertical post, a support for the arm arranged for free, gravitational, downward movement on the post, pivotal means for mounting the arm on the post, and means comprising a spring for urging the pick-up end of the arm downwardly.

5. A dispensing unit for delivering articles, one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said unit comprising an arm provided at one end thereof with article pick-up means arranged to move the uppermost article forwardly upon forward movement of the arm and to ride over the next article during rearward travel thereof, means for mounting the arm comprising a 6 vertical post, a support for the arm mounted on the post and arranged for free, gravitational,

downward movement on the post, pivotal means for mounting the arm on the support, means comprising a spring for urging the pick-up end of the arm downwardly, and means for moving the pick-up end of the arm forwardly and then rearwardly.

6. A dispensing unit for delivering flat articles, one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship. said unit comprising an arm provided at one end thereof with article pick-up means, means for mounting the arm adjacent its opposite end comprising a vertical post, means for oscillating such post on a vertical axis through an are, a support for the arm arranged for free, gravitational, downward movement on the post, rollers carried by the support which engage the sides of the post and prevent relative rotation between the support and the post, pivotal means for mounting the arm on the post, and means comprising a spring for urging the pick-up end of the arm downwardly.

7 A dispensing unit for delivering fiat articles,

I one at a time, which are arranged in superimposed relationship, said unit comprising an arm provided at one end thereof with a portion which is generally parallel with the surface of the articles, a generally cylindrical roller journalled on such portion and arranged for limited oscillatory movement from one extreme position to another as such roller contacts said surface during forward and rearward movement as a result of wiping actionv between the roller and the surface, a needle carried by the roller adapted to engage and pick up the uppermost article during forward travel thereof and to ride clear of the next article during rearward travel thereof, means for mounting the arm comprising a vertical post of non-circular cross-sectional contour, means for osci11ating such post on a vertical axis through an are, a support for the arm arranged for free, gravitational, downward movement on the post, rollers carried by the support which engage the post and prevent relative rotation between the support and the post, pivotal means for mounting the arm on the post, and means comprising a spring for urging the pick-up end of the arm downwardly.

SAMUEL LESCI-IJN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 746,631 Hill Dec. 8, 1903 1,127,991 Harbaugh Feb. 9, 1915 1,416,404 Fay et a1. May 16, 1922 

